Our Experience
Our love for and deep understanding of the travel industry fuels our unrelenting creativity and continued evolution in the marketplace.
The Minds Behind Alliance Connection

Melissa Mango
President & Founder
Armed with over 25+ years of sales and marketing experience, acquired during her executive tenure at Sandals Resorts and David’s Bridal, Melissa has grown Alliance Connection into a portfolio powerhouse of 600+ brands through dynamic 360° marketing approaches for our global travel and tourism clients.

Madison Salyer
Executive Director
Madison spearheads the nation’s leading promotional campaigns and produces exceptional results while working with world-class brands such as GMA, The Today Show, Ellen, Melia Hotels & Resorts, Universal Music Nashville, CMT, Hard Rock Hotels, Sony Music, and AMR Collection.

Bob Foglia
VP Marketing & Production Development
Bob has an extensive background in entertainment and influencer marketing, skills acquired throughout his 7-year career at Sony Music. His work can be seen in innovative campaigns with Lyft, American Airlines, Vevo, Target, Pepsi and The KIDZ BOP Experience at the all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotels.

April Neumann
Sr. Director, Strategic Marketing Programs
With over a decade of experience in PR and Marketing, including leading partnerships and events for Sandals and Beaches Resorts, April spearheads strategic marketing programs including strategy, design, operations, and implementation of integrated brand partnerships such as HyperX, Wheel of Fortune, and iHeart Radio activations.

Mckenzie Pickett
Director, Public Relations
McKenzie is a creative and strategic storyteller bringing experience from diverse industries, including CPG, education, craft beer, and tourism. Throughout her career, she’s represented Fortune 500 clients, creative agencies, nonprofits, and startups developing and pitching campaigns, planning events, creating media strategy, and cultivating industry relationships. At Alliance Connection, she will lead the development and execution of PR initiatives for our portfolio of clients.

Sophia Portillo
Account Manager, Strategy & Planning
Sophia joins our team with an impressive background in account management, agency experience, and proven success driving marketing strategies. As Account Manager, Strategy and Planning, she supports all client initiatives from strategic planning and optimization of integrated 360˚ marketing campaigns, to creative ideation for continued growth across our client portfolio.

Malaika Hollis
Malaika Hollis
Malaika is a PR rising star who is passionate about strategic storytelling. With an agency background, she has led integrated marketing and PR campaigns, in addition to dynamic brand partnerships for fashion and beauty brands. Malaika supports the development and execution of PR strategies for our clients, maximizing brand awareness in creative and tactful ways.

Vero Vilaro
Sr. Partnership Marketing Manager
A natural wanderlust, master of international affairs, equipped with a 9-year background in marketing partnerships, promotional partnerships and business development across the travel & entertainment industries.
Armed with vast experience growing revenue and brand awareness in global markets (LATAM, The Caribbean, Europe, Oceania, Asia Pacific and Middle East) through strategic narratives and integrated marketing approaches involving TV & digital integrations, experiential marketing and brand activations endorsed by talent and influencers.
Highly passionate about the ever-changing travel industry, inspired by multiculturality, and driven by the power of influencing buying decisions through story-telling.

Drina Mohacsi
Director, Talent Relations
Drina currently works in TV production in Los Angeles, C.A., and oversees Alliance Connection Productions talent relations, securing top TV and music talent for over 40+ resort events and still counting. Drina brings an immense amount of experience as a member of the Director’s Guild. She has worked on productions such as Grease Live!, Academy of Country Music Awards, CMT Awards, Dancing with the Stars, American Idol Finales, and World MMA Awards, to name a few.

Matt Cooper
Business Development Strategist
Matt cultivates collaborative partnerships in the travel and tourism industry, driving sales, marketing, and promotional activities. As CMO at the Caribbean Hotel Association, Matt led sustainable business growth through alliances with JetBlue, Expedia, MasterCard, and Travelzoo. Today you will find Matt leading Alliance Connection’s new business development strategy and industry relations.

Dana Baasiri
Sr. Director, PR & Content Marketing
Dana empowers travel and hospitality brands to tell their story through powerful messaging and content strategy through her brand; I’m Just A Publicist. Working hand in hand with Alliance Connection, she leads content marketing and copywriting for the company’s robust travel portfolio. Dana has spent the last decade leading communication for globally recognized hospitality brands, including the all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotels, Nobu Hotels, Eden Roc, and UNICO 20˚87˚ Hotel Riviera Maya.
Where In The World
info@allianceconnection.com

Detroit

Nashville

Miami
